This first photo is of a female cat after a preliminary degreasing bath with some combing to break apart the matted hair on the tail so a closer inspection could take place. Notice the yellowing discolouration, greasy waxy appearance, black flakes, and darkened skin. It will often have a rancid smell. After evaluation, it was determined that the stud tail was extensive and that the tail would need to be shaven (as had the body of the cat already had been done) in order to improve the ability to treat and clean the skin condition.

With the tail shaven, in this second photo of the same female cat, you can clearly see the yellow waxy grease and the blackheads. This residue will rub off wherever the cat goes, plus it looks and smells bad. So it was back to the tub for a deep cleaning tail exfoliating scrub combined with a degreasing organic cat-safe shampoo. I use Chubbs Bars Sugar Scrub. It works fabulously.To get stud tail to clear up, an owner has to begin a regular regime of washing the tail twice a day with a degreasing cat shampoo or vet prescribed antiseborrheic shampoo. It is faster and easier if the infected area is kept shaven so the twice daily washing regime can penetrate effectively. Treatment of stud tail is not that different than daily cleansing for human acne, but please don’t use human products.

Sometimes stud tail can cause secondary skin infections that look raw and oozy. This will require vet prescribed antibiotics to clear up the infection.After the Chubbs Bar Sugar Scrub, the yellow wax and blackheads were mostly gone with renewed and deep-cleansed soft pink skin beneath. This was only the first step. It will take multiple regular cleansing to clear up the skin and regular bathing to prevent mats in the future.

I'm a cat groomer in Okinawa, Japan. I came across your site while searching for good pictures of stud tail. I was looking to have an informative post on my Grooming FB page about stud tail and was wondering if I could use your pictures? Thank you!

Leave a Reply.

Surprisingly easy online booking. Book your full service appointment your way, on the day and time that works for you. No-brainer automated appointment confirmations, reminders, and receipts. No time-wasting email requests or phone tag.

Got questions? Prefer to call or text for an appointment?613-898-9228

Walk-in nail trimming: Monday, Friday and Saturday 8:30-9:00 a.m.

Janet Wormitt, CFMG CFCG

Cat-a-lyst and Ad-vo-CATefor improving the lives of Canadian cats, one groom at a time.